Profiles in Moral Courage: Speaking Out Is What Heroes Do

By Aaron Zelman

How can you tell when a person has integrity and truly stands for principles?

Nationally-known speaker Dennis Prager says that a person with moral integrity
is one who is willing to point out the errors in his own party, organization,
or religious group. It’s pretty easy to condemn the “other side,”
the opposition party, for violating moral principles that you and your group
hold dear. It takes clear moral vision, however, to see when your own group
falls short of the ideals it espouses. It takes real moral courage to stand
up and criticize your own group.

That’s why we at JPFO are so proud of our Jewish members who challenge
the victim-disarming Jewish organizations. (Many of our Christian members
also stand up against their anti-self defense leaders, too.)

Standing Up Against National Groups

When the United American Hebrew Congregations (UAHC) recently came out against
the right to keep and bear arms, JPFO objected and several our members individually
protested. For example, a medical doctor wrote to the UAHC:

Many members of the Jewish Community have noted with shock and distress
the official position of the UAHC, coming out against the Second Amendment
of the Constitution, which clearly delineates the God-given, inalienable
right for lawful citizens to keep and bear arms in this country.

As Jews, we should be acutely aware of the need for self-protection.
We are targets of violence from all sides, and history back through the
Old Testament delineates our armed struggle for survival. Have you forgotten
the true miracle of Hanukah, the armed insurrection of the Jews against
a vile and oppressive government? In more recent times my family was nearly
exterminated in Nazi Germany, powerless to resist because they had acquiesced
to their Government’s demands for gun registration and then confiscation.

In Israel they have the right idea. Much of the civilian population
is armed. My cousin there has an M-16 assault rifle and a Glock 9 mm hand-gun
with which he can protect his home and family. The incidence of firearm
violence in that heavily armed country is among the smallest in the world.

The UAHC has taken a position that is untenable for Jews. Had we followed
such advice in millenia past, then our People would surely not exist today.

No, I will not contribute to the UAHC as long as this misguided position
against firearms is embraced by its leaders. I will instead redouble my
efforts to protect myself, my family, and my rights. I will continue to
support the Jews for the Preservation of Firearm Ownership, JPFO.

Protest To Local Groups

Another JPFO member, a small business owner, told his story of local action:

In April 2000, I received a bulletin in the mail from the Rochester
Jewish Federation. The bulletin invited people of all faiths on a bus ride
to protest guns. This seemed inappropriate. Why was a religious, non-for-profit
group involved in a political issue?

I called the Federation but got nowhere. So, my wife and I went down
to the Federation to talk to someone in person. After a 90 minute conversation
there, we realized that the Federation was not going to change its mission
until every law-abiding citizen was disarmed.

My company and I had contributed to the Federation before. Not anymore.
I will no longer support an organization that spits in the face of law-abiding
citizens and defiles our Constitution.

That same JPFO member also wrote to the same Federation to point out its
hypocrisy:

The Talmud states, "if someone comes to kill you, arise and kill
that person first." Or do most Jews view the Talmud like they view
the constitution - a radical document that has no meaning? For Jews, worshiping
false idols is also against our religion. Marching down to Washington to
pray to almighty big government definitely falls into that category!

You Can Too!

These two JPFO members took personal action against national victim disarmament.
Many JPFO supporters use JPFO tools, become educated, and take a stand.

Join with Jews, Christians and many others who work with JPFO to preserve
our right to keep and bear arms. Annual dues are still only $20. Get the latest
“Gran’pa Jack” booklet that answers the question: “Will
‘Gun Control’ Make You Safer?” Twenty-one “gun
control” myths are shattered in this powerful, documented, easy-reading
booklet – suitable for all ages.